The Red Bull team Voices Regret Regarding Remarks Linked to Online Abuse Targeting Driver Kimi Antonelli

The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment expressing its sincere regret for comments made that were followed by a torrent of online abuse, including death threats, directed at young talent Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli was said to have switched his social media picture to a blank image on Monday, a response to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. His team confirmed that a number of these messages constituted threats against the youngster's life.

The controversy originated with team radio during the closing stages of the Qatar Grand Prix. Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase suggested over the air that it "looked like" Antonelli had "deliberately moved aside" to allow McLaren's Lando Norris to pass.

This incident proved crucial for the championship battle, as the overtake earned him two additional points. This increased the Briton's championship lead over Verstappen to a dozen points heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.

In its official communication, Red Bull clarified: "Observations made suggesting that Kimi Antonelli had deliberately allowed Lando Norris past are factually wrong. Video evidence shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thus enabling Norris to get by. We deeply regret that this has resulted in Kimi receiving such abuse."

The team's statement did not include a formal apology for the initial accusation. However, reports indicate that Lambiase later apologised to Mercedes team principal after reviewing footage of the on-track moment.

"This is complete and utter rubbish. That astounds me even to hear that," stated Wolff. "We are fighting for second place in the team standings... How foolish can you be to even suggest something like this?"

Wolff added that he had spoken with Lambiase, who claimed he did not witness the moment when he spoke over the radio. The team noted a "1,100% increase" in abusive messages targeting Antonelli after the Grand Prix.

For his part, Antonelli explained the moment as a simple mistake. He said he was pushing hard to close on Carlos Sainz and had a "big snap" that led him to go off track and lose the position.

"It proved really hard with the turbulence and the tyres were overheating," Antonelli remarked. "It's disappointing to lose the place because it would have been two more points."

Main Takeaways from the Incident

• Red Bull has expressed regret for radio remarks made by a team member.
• Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli was targeted by severe online abuse in the aftermath of those comments.
• The disputed comment centered on an on-track pass that impacted the title battle.
• Video evidence confirm Antonelli lost control, contradicting the implication of deliberate action.
• The engineer involved has expressed regret to Mercedes management.